The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-06-18
CALIFORNIA MISSIONARY WORK.

PASADENA, CAL, May 80, 1887.
To the Editor of The Unipersalist::
DEAR BRoTHER:-At least it is decided
that 1 am to remain here as pastor of this
young and growing parish. Coming here
only for short rest from work, that I
laid down none too soon, and worn
down by q wearisome sickness in hotel
among strangers, 1 did not feel equal to
the task of taking new parish where so
much was to be done at once, and where
the strongest and wiseet could find am
pie employment for all their strength
and wisdom.
But have yielded to the pressing de-
mand for work which seemed imperative;
and to the pleadings of earnest, active and
loyal people who promise to do all the
hard work and make the burden as light
as possible for the pastor, if would be
their leader. How could refuse? I have
for years urged an aggressive policy for
our church. 1 have believed that the
genius of our faith requires it of us, and
make us by pre-eminence the missionary
church to the thoughtful, progressive
paople of America. / have felt that the
people were ready and waiting for the
gospel as we interpret it, if we would go
to them with it in faith and love.
When my own words we're verified in
this place as they are in an hundred
others, and the people were pleading for
the opportunity to work, could not go
back on my own record. And no work is
more gladly welcomed by me than this, if
my health and strength will come back
to make me equal to the task. To those
who are asking whether there is mis-
sionary field for our church, ask them
to listen to
The Story of Pasadena.
About one year ago, Rev. Florence
Kollock, Of Englewood, visiting Hon.
A. G. Throop, of Los Angeles, came out
here, engaged hall and held service,
paying their own expenses. The result
was promising. Several services were
held, and an organization was effected.
But Miss Kollock had to return to her
Englewood parish, and the little flock
we're left without leader and the pulpit
was vacant for sometime until Br. E. l..
Briggs, of Iowa, came in the autumn and
accepted the temporary leadership until
he was called back by duties at his old
home. Meanwhile two or three brave
souls had bought lot and held it for the
parish, Br. Throop, of Los Angeles, shar-
ing literally in the burden. Then the
parish bought little church belonging
to the Methodists, and now by the sale of
part of the lot, the parish is free from
debt and has property worth $4,000 or
more. Another lot has heen bought by
two or three of our men as more desira-
BILE location for possible new church;
and as the little church is already full
and the society is growing so rapidly, the
trustees we're instructed at the first annual
meeting held last week to take immediate
steps toward building new church. We
have just organized a splendid Sunday
school, with nearly sixty members, with
two Tufts College graduates as our lead
ers, A. @. Fish, of Racine, Wis, Superin-
tendent; and E. E. Spaulding, of Bay
City, Mich, assistant Superintendent,
both schooled in the faith, and Of long
service in Sunday school work.
The ladies have organized "The La
dies League" for benevolent work with
good membership, and tomorrow night,
their first public meeting is to be recep-
ton at the parlors of the Carlton Hotel
to welcome the pastor and his wife, and
introduce them TO the citizens of Pasa-
dena.
One gentleman has given us his check
for the purchase of seven dozen hymn
books for the church and they are or
dered, and another devoted brother has
supplied the Sunday-school with large
number of new service books and singing
books at his own expense. All this is
The Fruit of One Year
of the missionary seed sown by Br. Throop